Using Acronyms
Using Acronyms
I know there is a previous thread asking what the acronyms used here stand for, but I wish their liberal use could be discouraged somehow, especially when they are used in the thread title. In such a case I usually have no idea whether the thread would be of interest to me. If the acronym could be translated at least once when first used, that would help greatly. There was a recent thread titled Path to UHNW. Yes, I googled it (and realized the thread is not relevant to me) but why make potentially hundreds of people have to do that? Or typically there's a question like VMABC vs. VMXYZ. Okay, at least these would probably be Vanguard funds, but I'm sure a lot of people have to look them up. It just gets a bit frustrating at times IYKWIM*.
*if you know what I mean
*if you know what I mean
Re: Using Acronyms
what does VE mean? it is used a lot when people talk about renewable energy/Tesla etc which I personally know nothing about
that is why I'm an index investor
that is why I'm an index investor
Re: Using Acronyms
You have made your case which is about all one can do. Like many things in life, do not expect everybody else to meet your expectations.
I would like a "No complaining nor ranting" day that would eventually lead to a "No complaining nor ranting" week every month. I am not holding my breath.
I would like a "No complaining nor ranting" day that would eventually lead to a "No complaining nor ranting" week every month. I am not holding my breath.
Re: Using Acronyms
+1AAA wrote: ↑Fri Nov 27, 2020 12:39 pm I know there is a previous thread asking what the acronyms used here stand for, but I wish their liberal use could be discouraged somehow, especially when they are used in the thread title. In such a case I usually have no idea whether the thread would be of interest to me. If the acronym could be translated at least once when first used, that would help greatly. There was a recent thread titled Path to UHNW. Yes, I googled it (and realized the thread is not relevant to me) but why make potentially hundreds of people have to do that? Or typically there's a question like VMABC vs. VMXYZ. Okay, at least these would probably be Vanguard funds, but I'm sure a lot of people have to look them up. It just gets a bit frustrating at times IYKWIM*.
*if you know what I mean
Totally agree. If folks don't bother to spell out the funds, I have often quit looking them up.
Re: Using Acronyms
Sometimes it seems that the acronyms here are equivalent to some sort of secret handshake that only true Bogleheads communicate with. As an agnostic, I've yet to fully comprehend these.
-Framus
-Framus
- cheese_breath
- Posts: 11787
- Joined: Wed Sep 14, 2011 7:08 pm
Re: Using Acronyms
OP, I agree with your comments regarding overuse of acronyms. But what does AAA stand for?
The surest way to know the future is when it becomes the past.
Re: Using Acronyms
But what does AAA stand for?
Re: Using Acronyms
Using my iPad I can highlight any acronym and instantly look up its meaning, even urbanisms. So not a problem for me. LMAO!
Last edited by Nicolas on Fri Nov 27, 2020 2:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Using Acronyms
What does AAA stand for?
Where is the line?
Is IRA allowed? Likely.
APR? Perhaps.
ER? Perhaps.
TLH? Getting close to the line with that one.
FOMO? Don’t get it, so don’t care.
The obscure fund symbols? Of course not, but something like VTSAX? Hmmmm.
I see someone beat me to the first line...
Not everyone is fluent in math terms, so % should be spelled out, right?
I am fine with any of it. I don’t even mind the redundancy of PIN number. If I need to go look something up I likely am learning more than just what XYZ stand for.
Where is the line?
Is IRA allowed? Likely.
APR? Perhaps.
ER? Perhaps.
TLH? Getting close to the line with that one.
FOMO? Don’t get it, so don’t care.
The obscure fund symbols? Of course not, but something like VTSAX? Hmmmm.
I see someone beat me to the first line...
Not everyone is fluent in math terms, so % should be spelled out, right?
I am fine with any of it. I don’t even mind the redundancy of PIN number. If I need to go look something up I likely am learning more than just what XYZ stand for.
-
- Posts: 780
- Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2020 2:47 pm
Re: Using Acronyms
Moderators can assist in meeting those expectations if enough people agree.
You're not complaining, are you?
Re: Using Acronyms
This was my immediate thought.cheese_breath wrote: ↑Fri Nov 27, 2020 2:31 pm OP, I agree with your comments regarding overuse of acronyms. But what does AAA stand for?
If I don't know an acronym and don't care to find out, I just move on.
On the other hand, if no one uses acronyms, how will anyone ever learn what they mean?
JT
Re: Using Acronyms
Nice try, but most usernames here are undecipherable and anyhow not at all relevant to the content of threads they create. In my case, it's the highest quality bond rating (just like my threads are of the highest quality ).cheese_breath wrote: ↑Fri Nov 27, 2020 2:31 pm OP, I agree with your comments regarding overuse of acronyms. But what does AAA stand for?
- abuss368
- Posts: 27850
- Joined: Mon Aug 03, 2009 2:33 pm
- Location: Where the water is warm, the drinks are cold, and I don't know the names of the players!
- Contact:
Re: Using Acronyms
I try to type things out on the forum to help readers. It is worth the extra effort.
John C. Bogle: “Simplicity is the master key to financial success."
Re: Using Acronyms
I don’t feel as you do about acronyms. I figure if they are being commonly used I should learn them. Think of it as learning a new language.
-
- Posts: 8626
- Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2015 11:31 am
- Location: West coast of Florida, near Champa Bay !
Re: Using Acronyms
A helpful guide:
Abbreviations and Acronyms
From Bogleheads
Below are brief descriptions to assist new investors. A glossary of words relevant to investing concepts can be found here.
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Abbrevi ... d_Acronyms
Broken Man 1999
Abbreviations and Acronyms
From Bogleheads
Below are brief descriptions to assist new investors. A glossary of words relevant to investing concepts can be found here.
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Abbrevi ... d_Acronyms
Broken Man 1999
“If I cannot drink Bourbon and smoke cigars in Heaven then I shall not go." - Mark Twain
Re: Using Acronyms
I am on an iPhone and just used the look up function. Thanks for the tip.
I think the AAA is for Acronym Avoidance Appreciated but the look up function was of no help.
Re: Using Acronyms
This thread feels like deja vu, all over again.
Retired life insurance company financial executive who sincerely believes that ”It’s a GREAT day to be alive!”
Re: Using Acronyms
This is a good thread. One point that has not yet been made is that the Bogleheads Forum provides an educational benefit to newer investors. I have recommended it to friends and family and have been told by more than one person that they felt lost in alphabet soup whe trying to read many posts. It made them give up on the community and feel as if this financial stuff was too complicated for them.
So if we want to be a welcoming community for all we should use acronyms sparingly.
So if we want to be a welcoming community for all we should use acronyms sparingly.
-
- Posts: 8626
- Joined: Wed Apr 08, 2015 11:31 am
- Location: West coast of Florida, near Champa Bay !
Re: Using Acronyms
livesoft wrote:
You have made your case which is about all one can do. Like many things in life, do not expect everybody else to meet your expectations.
I would like a "No complaining nor ranting" day that would eventually lead to a "No complaining nor ranting" week every month. I am not holding my breath.
I think a permanent thread titled Vanguard Sucks because: (add rant material as appropriate)
Or, maybe a permanent thread titled I am a member of an elite group of 60,000* at Vanguard, and I no longer receive: (add rant material as appropriate)
*Can't swear the number is accurate, it comes from this February 22, 2017 article linked below. Of course in the three years since 2017, taking in the account of the raging bull market, the 60,000 Flagship member number has probably grown much larger.
But, being one of 60,000 surely makes one special, no?
https://www.inquirer.com/philly/blogs/i ... ients.html
Broken Man 1999
You have made your case which is about all one can do. Like many things in life, do not expect everybody else to meet your expectations.
I would like a "No complaining nor ranting" day that would eventually lead to a "No complaining nor ranting" week every month. I am not holding my breath.
I think a permanent thread titled Vanguard Sucks because: (add rant material as appropriate)
Or, maybe a permanent thread titled I am a member of an elite group of 60,000* at Vanguard, and I no longer receive: (add rant material as appropriate)
*Can't swear the number is accurate, it comes from this February 22, 2017 article linked below. Of course in the three years since 2017, taking in the account of the raging bull market, the 60,000 Flagship member number has probably grown much larger.
But, being one of 60,000 surely makes one special, no?
https://www.inquirer.com/philly/blogs/i ... ients.html
Broken Man 1999
“If I cannot drink Bourbon and smoke cigars in Heaven then I shall not go." - Mark Twain
Re: Using Acronyms
I think it would get pretty tedious if everyone spelled out:
"What's a good Annual Percentage Rate for a Certificate of Deposit, in particular one that is covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, that I can put in my Individual Retirement Account".
Of course, some people will say 'well, everyone knows what APR, CD, FDIC, and IRA mean' - except, of course, that some people don't. ISTM (It Seems to Me) that everyone knows some, but not others. It's kind of like people saying 'I'm middle class, people who make less than me are poor, people who make more are rich', which narrows down their salary to somewhere between $50k ($50,000.00) to $250k (250,000.00). Similarly, the acronyms I know are just fine, but the ones I don't know should not be used. Except that's not workable, because everyone knows a different subset.
I just figure them out, if I care enough.
"What's a good Annual Percentage Rate for a Certificate of Deposit, in particular one that is covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, that I can put in my Individual Retirement Account".
Of course, some people will say 'well, everyone knows what APR, CD, FDIC, and IRA mean' - except, of course, that some people don't. ISTM (It Seems to Me) that everyone knows some, but not others. It's kind of like people saying 'I'm middle class, people who make less than me are poor, people who make more are rich', which narrows down their salary to somewhere between $50k ($50,000.00) to $250k (250,000.00). Similarly, the acronyms I know are just fine, but the ones I don't know should not be used. Except that's not workable, because everyone knows a different subset.
I just figure them out, if I care enough.
- oldcomputerguy
- Moderator
- Posts: 17934
- Joined: Sun Nov 22, 2015 5:50 am
- Location: Tennessee
Re: Using Acronyms
This topic has run its course (general rant, going nowhere) and has been locked. See Locked Topics:
Moderators or site admins may lock a topic (set it so no more replies may be added) when a violation of posting policy has occurred. Occasionally, even if there are no overt violations of posting policy, a topic (or thread) will reach a point where the information content of the discussion has been essentially exhausted and further replies are much more likely to cause distress to the community than add anything of value.
There is only one success - to be able to spend your life in your own way. (Christopher Morley)
Am I the only non-fan of FOOUA?
[Thread merged into here, see below. --admin LadyGeek]
An unusual post for me and I hope it does not sound like a rant as it is not that serious but do any other Bogleheads get frustrated by FOOUA? I feel like I can't be the only Boglehead that logs on each day and finds that for every ten minutes reading through posts they spend 10-15% of their time doing searches on the internet because of FOOUA?
What is FOOUA?
Frequent Overuse of Unexplained Acronyms.
My solution to the pet peeve is to define the acronym the first time it is used in the post. Such as:
"An unusual post for me but do any other Bogleheads get frustrated by FOOUA? (Frequent Overuse of Unexplained Acronyms)?
An unusual post for me and I hope it does not sound like a rant as it is not that serious but do any other Bogleheads get frustrated by FOOUA? I feel like I can't be the only Boglehead that logs on each day and finds that for every ten minutes reading through posts they spend 10-15% of their time doing searches on the internet because of FOOUA?
What is FOOUA?
Frequent Overuse of Unexplained Acronyms.
My solution to the pet peeve is to define the acronym the first time it is used in the post. Such as:
"An unusual post for me but do any other Bogleheads get frustrated by FOOUA? (Frequent Overuse of Unexplained Acronyms)?
Re: Am I the only non-fan of FOOUA?
Me, too!
Re: Am I the only non-fan of FOOUA?
As I've said before, non-intuitive acronyms are ubiquitous on this forum. At times, they make a posting unreadable, almost gibberish.
"Happiness Is Not My Companion" - Gen. Gouverneur K. Warren. |
(Avatar is the statue of Gen. Warren atop Little Round Top @ Gettysburg National Military Park.)
Re: Am I the only non-fan of FOOUA?
OP,
ITA.
OYCFOWTOPMBISAPITA.
TNWoods
ITA.
OYCFOWTOPMBISAPITA.
TNWoods
Re: Am I the only non-fan of FOOUA?
I never get frustrated, but just like when reading anything (books, reports, blogs, my spouse's mind, your mind) I always look up words I don't know the definition for. I never stop learning.
Re: Am I the only non-fan of FOOUA?
Part of the issue is posters being clueless or simply not caring about their audience, part of the issue is generational, part of the issue is the bleeding of texting conventions into other mediums.HuckFinn wrote: ↑Tue Dec 22, 2020 1:01 pm An unusual post for me and I hope it does not sound like a rant as it is not that serious but do any other Bogleheads get frustrated by FOOUA? I feel like I can't be the only Boglehead that logs on each day and finds that for every ten minutes reading through posts they spend 10-15% of their time doing searches on the internet because of FOOUA?
What is FOOUA?
Frequent Overuse of Unexplained Acronyms.
My solution to the pet peeve is to define the acronym the first time it is used in the post. Such as:
"An unusual post for me but do any other Bogleheads get frustrated by FOOUA? (Frequent Overuse of Unexplained Acronyms)?
"The day you die is just like any other, only shorter." |
― Samuel Beckett
Re: Am I the only non-fan of FOOUA?
The correct answer was "Often you can figure out what the OP means, but its still a pain in the ass," but I've consulted with the judges and they have decided to accept your answer! Congratulations!
TNWoods
-
- Posts: 2000
- Joined: Tue Feb 23, 2016 3:24 am
Re: Am I the only non-fan of FOOUA?
I know the International Committee on Computational Linguistics should really regulate this stuff
If not the next thing we know, we will have new words and expressions. The English language has not changed for 2000 years. We must protect it. We might have some French words in the future too.
G.E. Box "All models are wrong, but some are useful."
Re: Am I the only non-fan of FOOUA?
You are not the only one, but I suspect that lots of folks will draw the line in different places.HuckFinn wrote: ↑Tue Dec 22, 2020 1:01 pm An unusual post for me and I hope it does not sound like a rant as it is not that serious but do any other Bogleheads get frustrated by FOOUA? I feel like I can't be the only Boglehead that logs on each day and finds that for every ten minutes reading through posts they spend 10-15% of their time doing searches on the internet because of FOOUA?
What is FOOUA?
Frequent Overuse of Unexplained Acronyms.
My solution to the pet peeve is to define the acronym the first time it is used in the post. Such as:
"An unusual post for me but do any other Bogleheads get frustrated by FOOUA? (Frequent Overuse of Unexplained Acronyms)?
Some examples may not need spelling out:
- Exchange Traded Fund (EFT)
- Price to Earnings [PE] ratio
- Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
- Certificate of Deposit (CD)
- Individual Retirement Account (IRA)
- Exchange Traded Note (ETN)
- Net Asset Value (NAV)
- Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT)
I expect that someone (probably even me!) could write a plug-in to insert the spelled out version of each of these into posts. But then I would expect other folks to be unhappy because the acronyms make things more readable for them than the spelled out versions. I think the realistic strategy is to just look up the ones you don't recognize and figure that over time you'll find that you know most of them.
Re: Am I the only non-fan of FOOUA?
Sack rob loo, I hope not.qwertyjazz wrote: ↑Tue Dec 22, 2020 1:34 pmI know the International Committee on Computational Linguistics should really regulate this stuff
If not the next thing we know, we will have new words and expressions. The English language has not changed for 2000 years. We must protect it. We might have some French words in the future too.
TNWoods
Re: Using Acronyms
I merged HuckFinn's thread into the ongoing discussion. The combined thread is in the Forum Issues and Administration forum (acronyms).
See: Abbreviations and Acronyms
And: Re: Bookmarklet to lookup selected word in wiki's abbreviation table
The topic remains locked.
See: Abbreviations and Acronyms
And: Re: Bookmarklet to lookup selected word in wiki's abbreviation table
The topic remains locked.